Not on our watch! – DA vows to block ‘nil compensation’ land seizures

Zille

Cape Town – The Democratic Alliance (DA) has reiterated its firm opposition to expropriation without compensation, following a unanimous resolution by its Federal Council over the weekend.

The motion, passed by the DA’s highest decision-making body between congresses, reaffirmed the party’s support for Section 25 of the Constitution and condemned the recently enacted Expropriation Act of 2024, which permits the state to expropriate land at nil compensation under certain conditions.

In a statement released by Federal Council Chairperson Helen Zille, the party maintained that compensation for expropriated property must be “just and equitable”, as determined by a court of law.

The motion also signaled the DA’s intent to challenge the Expropriation Act through legal channels.

“The Democratic Alliance continues in our court case challenging the constitutionality of the Expropriation Act in the High Court,” Zille said. “We will explore every other opportunity to render the Act less of a risk to private property rights.”

The motion states that secure property rights are critical for economic growth, job creation, and improving living standards in South Africa. It specifically rejects the principle of ‘nil compensation’ and criticises the limitations the new law places on landowners contesting expropriation in court.

This renewed stance comes amid ongoing national debates around land reform and state powers to acquire land for public use. The Expropriation Act of 2024, signed into law earlier this year, aims to provide a legal framework for land reform and redress of historical injustices.

The DA’s Federal Council comprises 149 members, including national leaders, provincial representatives, public officials, and members from affiliated party structures.

The party’s legal battle against the Act is expected to intensify in the coming months

Article written by